St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf Launches First HIPAA-Compliant, Internet-Based Spoken Language Therapy for Deaf Children

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --  A groundbreaking Internet learning program could revolutionize speech and language therapy for children with hearing impairments. Launched by the St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf (SJI) – an institution with a 175-year history of innovation in deaf education – iHear is the world's first e-learning program created with optimum security measures to ensure privacy and compliance with federal HIPAA regulations and educational FERPA regulations.

"iHear gives families in rural areas the choice to pursue their child's development of auditory and speech skills without the burdens of extensive travel and cost," says Deborah Wilson, president of SJI. "This access to spoken-language therapy opens the doors for children with hearing impairments to remain on grade-level with their peers in a traditional school environment, allowing them to develop the necessary communication skills for independence into adulthood."

Students and their families are already witnessing the benefits of iHear's effectiveness. In trials, all of the eligible children using iHear ages 0-6 have increased their standardized test scores after 6-12 months of iHear therapy.

The platform's comprehensive, personalized teaching program allows children with a range of hearing impairments – from cochlear implant recipients to hearing aid users – to work one-on-one with SJI-trained listening and spoken language specialists through web cameras and integrated online, interactive, digital lesson plans. Through ongoing assessment and evaluation, therapists can identify and implement individualized best practices for each student to close age-level language development gaps.

Essential to the program's success is its collaborative coaching model in which a parent or educator serves as a co-participant in each iHear session. Tips and exercises used during therapy then can be reinforced between sessions to help strengthen the child's hearing and speech.

"The iHear program has helped me become an active participant in my son's speech and language development," describes Linda Henke, mother to 6-year-old Auston. "Hearing my son say 'I love you' is priceless."

The iHear program can also significantly impact the ability of mainstream schools to serve children with hearing impairments. Its collaborative coaching model can help stabilize special education staffing from year-to-year, particularly in areas where the availability of professionals trained in developing language skills through listening is limited.

"The potential for iHear to transform the deaf education community is astounding," says Wilson. "We are eager to see how the program continues to expand and reach children with hearing impairments."

For those interested in learning more about iHear, SJI will host a symposium in St. Louis, Mo., on Nov. 11, which will also be accessible online. For more information, visit www.ihearlearning.org.

About St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf

As one of the world's premier institutions for deaf education, St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf (SJI) has a 175-year history of helping children with hearing loss. SJI is committed to the auditory-oral education, spiritual and emotional growth, and personal development of hearing-impaired children and young adults without discrimination, reflecting the values and traditions of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Founded in St. Louis and with campuses in Kansas City and Indianapolis, all SJI teachers and therapists are certified in either deaf education or speech pathology, with many having advanced degrees and national certification as Listening and Spoken Language Specialists. For more information about St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf: www.sjid.org

SOURCE St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf